Today the WorkSafe Victorian Country Football League becomes the WorkSafe AFL Vic Country.
The WorkSafe Victorian Country Football League (VCFL) announced on August 31, 2012 that it would support the reforms to the administration and structure of football in Country Victoria that were announced in the 2011 ‘Review of Football In Country Victoria' (the Review).

Since this announcement working parties have been formed in all parts of the state to assist in the establishment of Regional Commission structures and I am pleased to report that these working parties are continuing to make significant strides in establishing commission structures (albeit at different paces) that once established will be responsible for making strategic decisions in the best interests of football in a particular region.

In addition to the establishment of Regional Commissions and overall reforms, from 1 November 2012, the WorkSafe VCFL will integrate its existing staffing structure with that of AFL Victoria's.

As previously advised, services currently being offered by the WorkSafe VCFL will continue to be delivered through this integrated organisational structure and the employment of additional staff will take effect once Regional Commissions are established.

The integration means that several WorkSafe VCFL staff will take on new roles and responsibilities within the integrated structure either within the overall AFL Victoria business structure or the newly created WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country Football Department.

The integration also means that existing AFL Victoria Regional Development Managers servicing country Victoria will report directly into the WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country Football Department which going forward will be headed up by Brett Connell as the Country Football Manager.

It is important to note that until Regional Commissions are established, roles and responsibilities for staff in regional locations will remain the same as they are now.

For example, WorkSafe VCFL Area Managers will continue to service you as they have been in the past. Once Regional Commission structures are put in place, some existing staff in regional locations will begin to take on new roles as Football Development Managers who will then report locally to either a Region General Manager or Regional Commission depending on the location.

This role in effect is a combination of the duties currently undertaken by both the WorkSafe VCFL Area Manager and AFL Victoria Regional Development Manager.

Throughout this period of change, you will continue to be updated by WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country as to how these changes will impact you in your region.

In addition to the structural changes and as previously eluded to, the WorkSafe VCFL will rebrand itself from 1 November 2012 and now be known as WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country.

The existing VCFL logo will be replaced with a new logo. Branding guidelines will be provided to all affiliates in the coming weeks that will provide a full run down on the use of the new logo along with timeframes for changing over existing on field apparel to incorporate the new logo.

There is no doubt that we are entering a new and exciting era for country Football in this state and the WorkSafe VCFL believes that these reforms will greatly assist in the development and growth of football in country Victoria.

In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all affiliates whom I have dealt with over my previous eight years with the WorkSafe VCFL. As I embark on a new role within the integrated structure, Brett Connell will assume the key administrator role within country Victorian football as the Country Football Manager of WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country.

As such please don't hesitate to contact Brett Connell or your respective Area Manager in regards to any of the above.

 

Kind regards,

Steven Reaper
Chief Executive Officer
WorkSafe Victorian Country Football League

Article first appeared www.vcfl.com.au Friday, November 02, 2012